Apparatus for assembling articles



Nov. 15, 1960 J. R. JOHNSON 2,959,845

APPARATUS FOR AssEMBLING ARTICLES Filed oct. 25, 1955 5 sheets-sheet 1/A/ VN TO/i Kdo/wsa# W5/S. hat.

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Nov. 15, 1960 J. R. JOHNSON -APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING ARTICLES ssheets-sheet? Lidl] /A/ VFA/TOR 'f Ado/Wawy Filed 001'.. "25. 1955 Nov.v15, 1960 J. R. JoHNsYoN f APPARATS FOR ASSEMBLING ARTICLES 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed ,001.. 25, 1955 United, Seres Patent() APPARATUSFOR ASSEMBLING ARTICLES Joel R. Johnson, Chicago, Hl., assignor toWestern Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation ofNew York Filed Oct. 25, 1955, Ser. No. 542,547

7 Claims. (Cl. 29-203) This invention relates to apparatus forassembling articles and more particularly to apparatus for assemblingspoolheads and magnetic slugs on relay cores.

An object of this invention is to provide apparatus for rapidlyassembling spoolheads and magnetic slugs on relay cores.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for assemblingspoolheads and magnetic slugs on relay cores and for threading relaycoil lead wires through apertures in the spoolheads being assembled onthe cores.

In an apparatus forming a specific embodiment of the invention aspoolhead is held in a nest inra reciprocable holder in alignment with arelay core secured in a stationary nest. The holder is moved to forceVthe spoolhead onto the core, whereupon the core is removed from itsnest and a plurality of magnetic slugs are manually placed thereon. Thecore is again positioned in the stationary nest andthestroke of theholder is adjusted whereby, when another spoolheadV is inserted into thereciprocated holder, this spoolhead is forced onto the core above theslugs so that the slugs havespoolheads onbothtopandbottom.A w Y Otherobjects and advantages ofthe invention will be- .come apparent byreference tothe following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings illustrating a preferred 4embodiment of .the invention, inwhichI Fig. l'is a fragmentary plan view of the device'showing thethreading needles for the coilleads in their lowermost position; Y

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View of the device showing thespoolhead held in the holder and the relay coil lead wires looped overthe needles;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the device showing the holder inits raised position and the latch in position to engage the holder whenit is moved down; y

Y Fig. 4 is an enlarged view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3 showing thespoolhead held in the reciprocable holder;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View of the device showing theholder moved into engagement with thecore; Fig. 6 is a sectional viewtaken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5 and showing the latch engaged with theholder; Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line-77 of Fig. l showingthe holder in position to assemble the lower spoolhead on the core;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the disclosure of Fig. 7showing the relay coil lead wires threaded through the lower spoolheadby the needles;

Fig. 9 is a View taken along line 9-9 of Fig. l showing the handle infirst position;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the device showing the holdermoved in position to assemble the upper spoolhead on the core above theslugs;

Fig. Vl1 is a fragmentary plan view showing the air 'cylinder andpiston; and ^"Fig.' l2 is a perspective view of the relay after thevspoolheads and magnetic slugs have been assembled thereon. l

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Referring now in detail to the drawings, a base 11 is shown supporting ahousing 12 having a nest 13 ,for receiving a lower end 16 of a relaycore 17 of a 4wellknown type on which is mounted a relay coil 18 andupon which is to be assembled by the method and apparatus of the presentinvention a lower spoolhead 21, a plurality of apertured slugs 22, andan upper spoolhead 23, in that order. These elements, in assembledrelationship, are best illustrated in Fig. l2.

A lower guide member 26 secured to the base 11 slidably supports a pairof rods 27 held in spaced relationship by an upper spacing plate 30 anda lower spacing plate 31, these plates 30 and 31 being rigidly securedto the rod 27. A holder 32 having a nest 33 for receiving one of thespoolheads 21 or 23 is secured to a shaft 34 which is slidably mountedin apertures 37 and 38 in the lower spacing plate 31 and the lower guidemember 26, respectively, so that the holder 32 is in alignment with thecore 17 held in the nest 13 in the housing 12 and is movable toward thecore 17. The structure including the spacing plates 30 and 31 and therods 27 may be considered a ram which moves the holder 32 to assemblethe spoolhead on the core 17. A resilient member 39 secured to theholder 32 extends downward pastthe nest 33 therein for engaging thespoolhead 21 or 23 to retain it in the nest 313. A tension spring 41secured atone end to the holder 32 and at its other end to the upperspacing plate 30 urges the holder 32 upward into engagement with thelower spacing plate 31. A bolt 42 threaded into the holder 32 passesthrough a hole 43 in the lower spacing plate 31 whereby a head 44 of thebolt 42 engages 4the lower spacing plate 31 to limit downward movementof the holder 32 relative to the lower spacing plate 31. A handle 47 issecured to the holder 32 to permit the operator to manually move theholder to bring the spoolhead 21 or 23 into engagement with thecore 17to Yinsure that the spoolhead 21 or 23 is properly alignedwith the core17 (Figs. 5 and 6). A spring loaded latch 48 has a portion 49 whichengages the holder 32 to prevent upward movement thereof when the holder32 is manually moved into engagement with the core 17. A cam surface 50on the portion 49 is engaged by the holder 32 to pivot the latch 48 outof the path of the holder 32 as it is moved down. Y

A pair of needles 53 mounted in apertures 54 in the lower guide member26 and secured therein by set screws 55 extend downward throughapertures 58 and 59 in the lower spacing plate 31.and the holderV 32,respectively. The needles 53 have hooked ends 60 which extend throughholes 63 in the lower spoolhead 21 held inthe nest 33 whereby, when leadwires 64 of the relay coil `18 are looped over the hooked ends 60 of theneedles 53 and the holder 32 is moved downward, the lead wires 64 arethreaded through the holes 63 in the lower spoolhead 21. The upper endsof the needles 53 are in abutment with apertured pins 68 rotatablymounted in the lower guide member 26 whereby, when it is desirable toraise the needles 53 to assemble the upper spoolhead 23 on'the core 17,the pins 68 are rotated until apertures 69 (Fig. lr) therein are inalignment withthe needles 53 and the set screws 55 are loosened topermit the operator to manually move the needles 53 to a raised position(the upper ends of the needles 53 passing through the apertures 69 inthe pins 68). The set screws 55 are then tightened to Yhold the needles53 in this position. Y A i A shaft 72 secured to the upper spacing plate30 passes through an aperture 73 in an upper guide member 75 and issecured to a piston 74 of an air cylinder 77 whereby, when the piston 74is actuated, the rods 27 and the spacing plates 30 and 31 are moveddownward to engage the holder 32 to force it downward over the core 17.VA

The upper end of the core 17 is supported by a bar 78 which is slidablymounted in the housing 12, the lower end of the core 17 being held inthe nest 13A as described above. A pin 79 passing through the bar 78Aisrotatably mounted in a block 80 which is slidably mounted in a slot 83in a lever 84 secured to a shaft 85 passing through an aperture 87 inthe housing 12. A spring 88 mounted in an aperture 89 in the lever 84urges a plunger 92 into engagement with the housing 12 to maintain thelever 84 in a position to hold the bar 78 in engagement with the upperend of the core 17 to support it. An actuating lever 93 secured to theshaft *85 carries a roller 95 which is in alignment with `a cam member96 secured to the lower spacing plate 31 whereby, when the piston 74 isactuated to move the spacing plates 30 and 31 downward to engage theholder 32 (which has been manually moved into engagement with the core),the cam member 96 engages the roller 95 and moves it to pivot the lever84 and withdraw the bar 78 from the path of the holder 32.

A clamping member 100 secured to a shaft 101 passing through an aperture102 in the housing 12 is provided for engaging the lower end of the core17 to hold the core in position when the bar 78 is moved out of the pathof the holder 32. The clamping member 100 thus holds the core 17 in acantilever fashion when the bar 78 is withdrawn. A lever 104 secured tothe shaft 101 is pinned to a U-shaped bracket 105 which is threaded ontoa rod 106 extending upward through the lower guide member 26 and theupper spacing plate 30 and which rod has a nut 109 threaded onto itsupper end above the upper spacing plate 30. A compression spring 110 ismounted on the rod 106 between the lower guide member 26 and anadjusting nut 108 on the rod 106 whereby the rod is urged downward topivot the lever 104 and the clamping member 100 to hold the core 17 inproper position. When the piston 74 is at its uppermost position theupper spacing plate engages the nut `109 and holds the rod 106 above'its lowermost position, thereby compressing the spring 110 and pivotingthe clamping member 100 to permit the insertion or removal of the core17 from the device. The nut 109 is moved on the rod 106 to adjust theforce applied by the compression spring 110 to hold the core 17insecured to a portion of the base 11. A rod 118 pinned to the lockingmember 113 extends upward through the lower guide member 26 and theupper spacing plate 30 and has a nut 119 threaded onto its upper endabove the upper spacing plate 30. A compression spring 120 mounted onthe rod 118 between the lower guide member 26 and the locking member 113urges it toward locking engagement with the latch 48 whereby, when thespacing plates 30 and 31 are moved downward toward the holder 32 held bythe latch 48, the lower spacing plate 31 engages the cam surface 50 onthe latch 48 and pivots it into locked engagement with the lockingmember 113, thereby preventing the latch 48 from engaging the holder 32on its upward stroke. As the spacing plates 30 and 31 are raised by theair cylinder 77 after the spool head 21 or 23 is assembled on the core17, the tension spring 41 maintains the holder 32 in engagement with thelower spacing plate 31, thereby elevating the holder 32 with the spacingplates 30 and 31. When the spacing plates 30 and 31 and the holder 32approach their uppermost position the upper spacing plate 30 engages thenut 119 on the rod 118 and raises it, thereby compressing the spring 120and unlocking the latch 48 whereby it is free to engage the holder 32when it is once again moved downward into engagement with the core 17.

A plate 123 secured to the shaft 72 and having a pair of spaced bolts124 depending therefrom is carried downward by the moving shaft 72untilthe bolts 124 engage 'plate 31-Fig. 7).

the upper guide member 75, thereby positively limiting downward movementof the holder 32 to insure that the lower spoolhead 21 is properlypositioned on the core 17. An irregular shaped stop 126 which ispivotally mounted on the shaft 72 in engagement with the upper guidemember 75- is moved from a first position out of alignment with thebolts 124 into a second position in alignment with the bolts 124 wherebythey engage the stop 126 instead of the upper guide member 75 when theshaft 72 is moved downward, thereby limiting downward movement of theholder 32 to position the upper spoolhead 23 on the core 17 (the slugs22 having been manually loaded onto the core 17 after the lowerspoolhead 21 was assembled thereon). In this manner the stroke of theholder 32 is adjusted to assemble the spoolhead 21 or 23 in apredetermined position on the core 17. A handle 130 is secured to thestop 126 for moving it and a spring pressed latch 131 mounted in theupper guide member 75 enters recesses 132 or 133 on the stop 126 to holdit in the `rst or second position, respectively. A rod 127 `secured tothe upper guide member 75 extends upward through a notch 128 in theplate 123 to prevent rotation of the plate 123 relative to the stop 126.

A switch 136 secured to the base 11 for actuating the air cylinder 77 tomove the piston 74 downward is operated by a cam 137 mounted on theholder 32 when it is moved downward into engagement with the core 17. Aplate 138 pivoted to the base 11 and connected to the handle 130 by alink 139 has a flange 141 into which is threaded a short bolt 142 and along bolt 144. Switch 147 secured to the upper spacing plate 30 foractuating the air cylinder 77 Yto move the piston 74 upward `is carrieddownward by the upper spacing plate 30 until the switch 147 engages andis closed by one of the bolts 142 or 144, whereupon the air cylinder 77is actuated to raise the spacing plates 30 and 31 and the holder 32. Ifthe handle 130 is in first position for assembling the lower spoolheadon the core 17 the switch 147 engages the short bolt 142 and, if thehandle 130 is in second position for assembling the upper spoolhead 23on the core 17, the

switch 147 engages the long bolt 144. In this manner the stroke of theholder 32 is controlled to properly position the spoolhead 2'1 or 23 onthe core 17. `The bolts 124 carried by the plate 123 engage the upperguide member 75 on the stop 126 to limit downward movement of the holder32 in case the switch 147 should fail for any reason.`

In operation, with the handle 130 set in the rst p05 sition, thecore 17having a relay coil 18 mounted thereon is manually placed in the devicewith the lower end 16 of the core 17 in the nest 13 in the housing 12and the upper end of the core 17 resting on the bar 78. The lowerspoolhead 21 is inserted into the nest 33 in the holder 32 with theneedles 53 projecting through the holes `63 in the spoolhead 21 and therelay coil lead wires 64 are manually looped over the hooked ends 60 ofthe needles 53 (Figs. 2 and 3). The operator then moves the handle 47downward until the holder 32emgages the core 17` and the portion 49 ofthe latch 48 engages theholder 32 lto hold it down `(Fig. 6). At thispoint the cam 137 engages and closes the switch 136 which actuates theair cylinder 77 to movethe piston 74 downward. As the piston 74 movesdown the lower spacing plate 31 moves toward engagement with the holder`32 and the `spring 1110 is compressed to pivot the clamping member 100to a position where it holds the core 17 in proper position. 'I'he cammember 96 then engages the roller and pivots the` actuating lever`93 towithdraw the bar 78 from the path of the holder 32 (which is moveddownward when it is engaged by the lower spacing The lower spacing plate31 now engages they cam surface `50 on thelatch 48 and pivots it intolocked engagement with the locking member 113 (Fig. 7). The piston 74moves the holder 32 and `the lower spoolhead 21 downward until theswitch `li'l'lis closed by engagement with the short bolt 142 threadedinto the ange 141, whereupon the piston 74 moves upward yto raise theholder 32. The bolts 124 engage the upper guide member 75 to stop theholder 32 if the switch 147 should fail. After the lower spacing plate31 and the holder 32 clear the core l17 the ca-m member 96 clears theroller 95 and the spring 88 pivots the lever 84 to move the bar 78 intoposition to support the upper end of the core 17. As the spacing plates30 and 31 and the holder 32 reach their uppermost positions the rod 118is raised slightly to release the latch 131 and the rod 106 is raisedslightly to pivot the clamping member 100 and free the lower end of thecore 17.

The core 17 is then removed from the device and the slugs 22 aremanually loaded onto the core above the lower spoolhead 21,

The set screws 55 securing the needles 53 are then loosened and the pins68 are rotated until the apertures 69 therein are in alignment with theneedles 53, whereupon the needles are Ymoved upward to a position wherethey clear the upper Ispoolhead 23 when it is placed in the nest 33 inthe holder 32. The set screws 55 are Ythen tightened to hold the needles53 in this raised position.

The handle 130 is moved to the second position to align the long bolt144 with the switch 147 and to align the stop 126 with the bolts 4124,and the upper spoolhead 23 is placed in the nest 33 in the holder 32.The core 17 having the coil 18, the lower spoolhead 21 and the slugs 22assembled thereon is placed in the device and the operator moves thehandle I47 downward to close the switch 136, whereupon the devicefunctions as described above to assemble theupper spoolhead 23 on thecore 17 above the slugs 22.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simplyillustrative of the application of the principles of this invention.Numerous other arrangements may -be readily devised by those skilled inthe art which will embody the principles of the invention and fallWithin the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A device yfor assembling spoolheads on cores including coils havinglead wires comprising a supporting member having a nest for receivingone end of the core, a movable member for engaging the other end of thecore to partially support it, a movable holder for supporting anapertured first spoolhead in alignment with the core, actuating andinterconnecting means for moving the holder toward the core whereby thecore enters the aperture in the rfirst spoolhead, said iirst spoolheadalso having a plurality of holes through which the lead wires are to bethreaded, means -for threading the lead wires through said holes as therst spoolhead is moved toward the core, means responsive to theactuating and interconnecting means for clamping said one end of thecore in the nest in the supporting member, means responsive to theactuating and interconnecting means for withdrawing the movable coreengaging member from the path of the holder to permit said holder toforce the iirst spoolhead onto the core, control means for adjusting theactuating and interconnecting means to vary the travel of the holderwhereby a second spoolhead assembled on the core is spaced apredetermined distance from the first spoolhead.

2. In a device for assembling spoolheads on cores upon which are mountedcoils having lead wires, a base, a housing mounted on the base andhaving a nest for receiving the lower end of a core, a movable membermounted on the housing for `engaging the upper end of the core topartially support it, a holder slidably mounted above the base forholding an apertured first spoolhead in alignment with the core,actuating and interconnecting means mounted on the base for moving theholder to force the core into the aperture in the first spoolhead andthus assemble said rst spoolhead on the core, said rst 6 1 -spoolheadhaving aV plurality of holes through which the lead wires are to bethreaded, means for threading the coil lead wires through the holes inthe, first spoolhead as the holder is moved toward the core, a clampingmember operated by the actuating and interconnecting means -for holdingthe lower end of the core -in the nest in the housing, means actuated bythe actuating and interconnecting means for withdrawing the movable coreengaging members from the path of the holder, a switch for controllingthe actuating and interconnecting means to withdraw the holder from thecore, said switch being mounted on the actuating and'interconnectingme'ans for movement therewith, andmeans mounted on the -base -forclosing the switch at a plurality of predetermined points in its path oftravel whereby a second spoolhead assembled on the core is spaced apredetermined distance from the firstspoolhead. l

V3. A device for assembling spoolheads on relay cores having coilsmounted thereon, comprising a base, a housing mounted on the base andhaving a nest for receiving the lower end of a core having a coilmounted thereon, a bar slidably mounted in .the housing for engaging theupper end of the core to partially support it, a plurality of guidemembers mounted on the base, a pair of rods slidably mounted on one ofthe guide members, a pair of apertured plates -secured to the rods, anapertured holder slidably mounted on the plates and having a nest forholding an apertured iirst spoolhead whereby the aperture in the firstspoolhead is in alignment with a portion of `the core which is to beforced into said aperture, means relay coil looped over the hookedmembers are threaded through the iirst spoolhead when the holder ismoved toward the core, means secured to the holder for moving it intoengagement with the core, Va latch `for maintaining the holder inengagement with the core, an air cylinder mounted on the base, a movablepiston mounted in said air cylinder, a shaft secured to the piston andto one of the plates whereby actuation of the piston in the air cylindermoves the plates and the rods, means mounted on the base responsive tothe pisition of the holder -for actuating said piston to move said rodsand plates to lforce the first spoolhead onto the core, means responsiveto the position of the plates for withdrawing the core-engaging bar fromthe path of the holder, a clamping member mounted on the base andresponsive yto the position of the plates yfor holding 1e core inposition when the core-engaging bar is withdrawn, means responsive tothe position of the plates for unlocking the latch to permit the holderto be withdrawn from the core with the rods and plates, a switch -forcontrolling the air cylinder to withdraw the holder from the core, saidswitch being mounted on one of the plates for movement into alignmentwith the projecting elements to limit movev ment of the holder to insurethat the second spoolhead is spaced at said predetermined distance fromthe first spoolhead.

4. A device for assembling an apertured spoolhead on an elongated core,comprising a base, means on said base -for engaging the core at one endand holding theV core in a cantilever fashion to leave the other end ofthe core free, means mounted on the base for temporarily engaging andsupporting the ree end of the core,

a ram on said base, a holder mounted on said ram for carrying aspoolhead in alignment with and into engagement with the free end of thecore, switch means for initiating operation of said ram, means foractuating said Switch means whereby said ram is actuated to move saidholder and force the spoolhead onto the core, means connected to saidtemporary core engaging and supporting means, and camming meansconnected to said ram and movable therewith for engaging saidIlastmentioned means to `withdraw said temporary core engaging andsupporting means just prior to ythe spoolhead being forced onto thecore.

5. A device for assembling an apertured spoolhead on an Velongated core,comprising a base, means on the base for holding `the core atone end ina cantilever fashion to leave the other vend free, a ram mounted on thebase, a holder slidably mounted `on the ram for carrying a spoolhead inalignment with the free end of the core, said holder being capable ofmovement with respect to the ram to place the spoolhead in engagementwith thefree end of the core, switch means for initiating operation ofthe ram, and means for actuating the switch means when the holder hasbeen moved to place the spoolhead in engagement with the core, wherebythe ram is `actuated to move the holder and force the spoolhead onto thecore.

6. A device for assembling an apertured spoolhead on an elongated core,comprising a base, means on the `base for holding the core at one end ina cantilever tuating the switch means when the holder `has been moved toplace the spoolhead `inengzigement with the core, whereby the ram isactuated to move'said holder and force theA spoolhead onto the core. p

7. A device for assembling anV apertured spoolhead on an elongated core,comprising a base, means on the base 4for holding the core at one end ina cantilever fashion to leave the other end free, a ram mounted on the`base, a holder mounted on the ram for carrying a spoolhead in alignmentwith and into engagement with the free end of the core, switch means forinitiating operation Vof the ram in one direction, means for actuatingthe switch means whereby `the ram is actuated to move the holder andforce the spoolhead onto the core, a second switch means for actuatingsaid ram inthe reverse direction, said second switch means beingpositioned adjacent the'path'of travel of said ram, a plurality ofVswitch engaging elements also positioned adjacent the path of travel ofsaid ram at spaced apart points along the path, means movably mounted onsaid base for selectively 4moving one or the other of said elements intothe `path of said second switch means for engagement therewith when saidram is moved, whereby a first spoolhead and a second spoolhead may beassembled on said core a predetermined distance` apart.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,639,700 Martin Aug. 23, 1927 2,281,479 Chirelstein Apr. 28, 19422,355,833 Bertalan Aug. 15, 1944 2,425,127 Schafer Aug. 5, 19472,584,231 Schmidt Feb. 5, 1952 2,612,681 Camras Oct. 7, 1952 2,702,936Hurt Mar. 1, 1955 2,750,659 Sassi June 19, 1956

